He saved the emotional part for the end: Accompanied by lots of applause, showmaster Thomas Gottschalk from the ZDF classic “Wetten,dass..?” adopted.
Legend:
There was a standing ovation on Saturday evening in Offenburg for the visibly moved presenter Thomas Gottschalk.
DPA/Philipp von Ditfurth
“We had a good time together,” the 73-year-old shouted to the around 2,000 people in the Baden Arena. Gottschalk also explained that it was not a sad event. “I’m not desperate, my life goes on and I’m looking forward to everything that comes,” he added before he was driven out of the hall with an excavator.
Gottschalk without Hunziker
Two main reasons motivated him to say “Wetten, dass..?” to finally put an end to it, said Gottschalk. On the one hand, he didn’t want “people to have to explain my guests to me.” On the other hand, he always said on television what he said at home. He now speaks differently on television than he does at home – because he fears that he could create a “shitstorm”.
Show creator Frank Elstner (81) hugged Gottschalk at the end and praised his work. Gottschalk was once the presenter of “Wetten,dass..?” followed. The band Rolling Stones also said goodbye to him in a video message displayed during the show.
Legend:
“I’m grateful that you lasted so long,” Elstner said to Gottschalk.
DPA/Philipp von Ditfurth
It was Gottschalk’s 154th broadcast – which he ended unusually on time. It may also have been unusual for some viewers that co-host Michelle Hunziker was missing. Gottschalk announced in the summer that he wanted to host the show alone again.
“Let me chat here”
He welcomed the actor Matthias Schweighöfer as the first prominent guest on the famous show sofa. The British boy band Take That performed their cult hit “Back for Good”. The singers Helene Fischer and Shirin David also performed together. They performed Fischer’s hit “Atemlos” together.
Gottschalk then slid into a discussion with Shirin David about feminism and influencers. The singer countered. Knowing Gottschalk, he then again made silly statements like: “Let me babble here.” World star Cher also took a seat on the large TV couch.
Legend:
Helene Fischer (left) and Shirin David performed Fischer’s song “Atemlos”.
DPA/Philipp von Ditfurth
Gottschalk was well prepared – after the last edition there was criticism that only Hunziker had the show under control. However, there were still mistakes – for example, Gottschalk said Schweinsteiger instead of Schweighöfer. And when it was ex-professional footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger’s turn, Gottschalk introduced him as “Bastian Schweigsteiger”.
Successful rope pullers
The outside bet was organized in Switzerland and hosted by comedian Hazel Brugger. Eight men from the Stans-Oberdorf rope pulling club tried to pull a seven-ton Stanserhornbahn wagon ten meters uphill. A new edition of a bet made by the same club from a broadcast 30 years ago – with the difference that the rope pullers were successful this time.
Legend:
The betting queen was Julia Reichelt, who was able to recognize previous bets from the classic show using colorful barcodes.
DPA/Philipp von Ditfurth
After 36 years, Thomas Gottschalk ended his career as a betting presenter. Through “Bet, that..?” He became a showmaster legend and the entertainment program became probably the largest in Europe. A few moments were particularly memorable. After losing bets, he allowed himself to be dipped in mustard and even danced on stage as the “Ballet Prince” of Swan Lake. This and other scenes were shown again in the credits.